(A) The purpose of this subchapter is to regulate development on steep slopes in order to preserve Chimney Rock Village's unique visual character, to preserve scenic views and vistas that are inherent to the character of the village, conserve the public health, safety, and general welfare, and promote environmentally sound design and planning, to promote public safety by ensuring that development on steep slopes areas addresses slope stability in an effective manner, provide opportunities to reduce the length of roads, of utilities, and amount of grading and paving. The mountains and steep slopes constitute a significant natural topographic feature of the community and create a desirable setting, visible to the residents, the visiting public, and the tourist community which constitutes the village's sole economy. In order to insure the preservation of the mountains and steep slopes, the regulations of this subchapter are established to recognize that development of land on steep slopes or mountainous areas involves special considerations and unique situations which result from the slope of the land. These special considerations and unique situations include, but are not limited to, increased hazards to development from rock falls, earth movement, storm water runoff, and geologic hazards. In addition, steeply sloped land presents design limitations to roadways, cuts and fills, and buildings, and difficulties in providing public services.
(B) The following objectives shall serve as general guidelines to fulfill the purpose of this section:
(1) To protect life and property from all potentially hazardous conditions particular to steep slopes;
(2) To preserve and enhance the scenic and environmental resources of the landscape by encouraging the maximum retention of prominent natural topographic features;
(3) To encourage innovative site and architectural design and planning in order that the development adapts to the natural terrain and is harmonious with the character of the area;
(4) To minimize grading and cut and fill operations consistent with the retention of the natural character of the steep slope;
(5) To minimize storm water runoff and erosion problems incurred by the development on and off the site;
(6) To preserve, where possible, natural streams, ponds and associated riparian vegetation;
(7) To encourage the on-site retention of significant tree and other vegetation which stabilizes steep slopes, retains moisture, prevents erosion, and enhances the natural scenic beauty; and to encourage the retention of vegetation throughout the site instead of just in the periphery area of the development;
(8) To encourage minimal grading which relates to the natural contour of the land;
(9) To provide land use densities to promote the best possible development of steep slopes in order to retain significant natural features;
(10) To encourage road design which follows the natural topography wherever possible in order to minimize cutting and grading; and
(11) To preserve predominant views from and of the steep slopes in order to retain the sense of identity and imagery that the river, the creeks, the hills and mountains now impart to Chimney Rock Village.
(Ord. passed 10-16-2007)